Real Madrid announce Julen Lopetegui as manager

European champions announce Spanish head coach to join team after World Cup 2018

By Satuk Bugra Kutlugun

ANKARA (AA) - Real Madrid on Tuesday announced that Spanish national team manager Julen Lopetegui will be the team’s new head coach.

In a statement posted on the team's official website, the club said Lopetegui will join the team after the World Cup 2018 in Russia.

"Real Madrid C. F. announce that Julen Lopetegui will be the coach of the first team during the next three seasons. Julen Lopetegui will join the club after Spain’s participation in the World Cup, after two years leading the national team," the statement said.

On May 31, Zinedine Zidane told a press conference that he was stepping down as Real Madrid's manager, after the team won the UEFA Champions League for a third consecutive year.